Tommy Posted November 7, 2009 Share Posted November 7, 2009 Hi, I'm currently looking into getting some call ducks. I just wanted to know how much mess they make? I'd probaly be getting a trio, but atleast a pair. Also how high fence? Or would it need to be fully enclosed? All for now, thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom123 Posted November 7, 2009 Share Posted November 7, 2009 Hi Tommy Call ducks are absolutely fantastic! I used to have 2 boys and now have a pair. I keep mine in a 6x4 covered run. This is slabbed and has a gravel area around their pond which is a large shallow tub trug. I hose the slabs and gravel down every 2 days to keep it clean and empty the water every weekend. They don't make much mess at all and in the garden they are good at keeping the slugs down and they don't wreck your grass like other ducks. My current ducks are pinioned which means they can't fly but 1 of my previous ones got about 3-4ft in the air so if I was you I would either have it fully enclosed or about 7ft high fencing. BUT remember ducks don't go to bed like chickens you have to herd them to bed and this is a big tie if your run isn't fox proof as it means you have to be there before it gets dark. I find a covered run is easiest and safest. Good Luck and just PM me if you need anything else Tom P.S. Remember call ducks females are quite noisy!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommy Posted November 7, 2009 Author Share Posted November 7, 2009 Hi Tommy Call ducks are absolutely fantastic! I used to have 2 boys and now have a pair. I keep mine in a 6x4 covered run. This is slabbed and has a gravel area around their pond which is a large shallow tub trug. I hose the slabs and gravel down every 2 days to keep it clean and empty the water every weekend. They don't make much mess at all and in the garden they are good at keeping the slugs down and they don't wreck your grass like other ducks. My current ducks are pinioned which means they can't fly but 1 of my previous ones got about 3-4ft in the air so if I was you I would either have it fully enclosed or about 7ft high fencing. BUT remember ducks don't go to bed like chickens you have to herd them to bed and this is a big tie if your run isn't fox proof as it means you have to be there before it gets dark. I find a covered run is easiest and safest. Good Luck and just PM me if you need anything else Tom P.S. Remember call ducks females are quite noisy!! Thanks very much for an informative reply. I've just been outside and had a look. I had an idea... we are going to fence off an area which is about 60ft x 40ft. It will be fully grassed with chicken coops on it, I wondered if we could have a pond and a house in there and let them roam it? They wouldn't be able to reach the chickens. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom123 Posted November 7, 2009 Share Posted November 7, 2009 That would be fine just remember to clip their wings and check them every couple of months. Also remember about putting them in at night.! Good Luck Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommy Posted November 7, 2009 Author Share Posted November 7, 2009 That would be fine just remember to clip their wings and check them every couple of months. Also remember about putting them in at night.! Good Luck Tom Thanks again! So would I have to shut them in at night? If so what time to open and close? I wouldn't be getting them till next year, so I have alot of time to plan! Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom123 Posted November 7, 2009 Share Posted November 7, 2009 I shut mine up just before it gets dark and let them out as early as possible Good Luck again and remember the pictures! Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommy Posted November 7, 2009 Author Share Posted November 7, 2009 I shut mine up just before it gets dark and let them out as early as possible Good Luck again and remember the pictures! Tom Haha, will do! Can't think of anymore questions at the moment! But I will post if I think of anymore Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom123 Posted November 7, 2009 Share Posted November 7, 2009 OK Check out my thread about my new duck Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommy Posted November 7, 2009 Author Share Posted November 7, 2009 Done Any other opinions welcome Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted November 8, 2009 Share Posted November 8, 2009 We don't have any call ducks, just Campbells and an Indian Runner and now, thier offspring so we have three Campbell/Runner crosses. We have our duck area sectioned by 6' netting and the whole area is surrounded by single strand electric wire connected to an energiser and battery - we don't have to put them to bed at nights and they mostly stay out of the duck house. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ally Posted November 8, 2009 Share Posted November 8, 2009 i have 3 miniature silver appleyards who go to bed very night all i need to door is shut their hatch down - i absolutely love them I have a little male call duck reserved & cant wait Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommy Posted November 8, 2009 Author Share Posted November 8, 2009 Thanks for the reply. We're hopefully going to get an duck/classic eglu somewhere and put them in that, leave the door open and let them roam then put them in the run at night. So if you know anyone with an eglu for sale check out my post here: viewtopic.php?f=34&t=54929 Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
